Poet Master

The partnership with jockey Sam James is central to the story. Together they have won 5 of their 8 races — that's winning nearly two in every three times they team up, which is a remarkable level of chemistry. James rode him to victory at The Curragh in July 2024 and noted afterwards that the horse had been difficult to settle, but that a good early pace did the work for him. "I think he will keep improving," James said, and the trainer Karl Burke agrees. Speaking recently, Burke pointed out that Poet Master came back looking stronger than last season and has clear targets ahead — a Listed race at Haydock in May, then a Group 3 at the same track later that month.

The one obvious question mark is the very top level. In three attempts at Class 1 races — the highest grade in the sport — Poet Master has yet to win. But context matters here. His most recent run, which came just a day ago, saw him finish ninth, and Burke was quick to explain why: the ground was deep and holding, exactly the conditions that don't suit him. He needs a bit of ease underfoot, but not a bog. Put a line through that run. His recent form before it reads 1-5-2-2, which tells a more encouraging story.

Everything about the yard backs the horse up. Burke's operation at Coverham in North Yorkshire has sent out 140 winners already this season — a number that speaks to genuine horsepower in the stable. When a trainer of that calibre points a horse at two specific targets and says he looks better than ever, it is worth paying attention. Poet Master hasn't won in 21 months, which sounds like a long time, but the targets have been getting more ambitious and the assessment from those closest to him is that the best is still ahead.